Screen Media And Focus World Acquire Sundance Pic ‘C.O.G.’

EXCLUSIVE:Kyle Patrick Alvarez wrote and directed C.O.G., based on the David Sedaris autobiographical short story about a man who decides to immerse himself in the real world and goes off the grid following his graduation from Yale to work at an apple farm. He fails to fit in amongst the locals and migrant workers and begins a journey that will take him deep into unfamiliar, awkward, and frequently hilarious territory. Jonathan Groff (Glee) stars alongside Corey Stoll, Denis O’Hare, Casey Wilson, Troian Bellisario, and Dean Stockwell. Cookie Carosella, Stephen Nemeth of Rhino Films and Alvarez are producers. Screen Media and Focus Features’ alt-distribution label Focus World plan a release in theaters and digital platforms this year. The companies also joined forces last month to buy the Kristen Bell-starrer The Lifeguard, which also is set to be released this year. The deal was closed for Screen Media by president Suzanne Blech and Director of Marketing and Acquisitions Seth Needle; for Focus by EVP Strategic Planning, Business Affairs and Acquisitions Avy Eschenasy and Director, Alternative Content & Distribution Kent Sanderson; and for the filmmakers by Preferred Content’s Kevin Iwashina and Zac Bright, the UTA Independent Film Group, and Lawrence Kopeikin and Gregg Gellman of Morris Yorn.